Table-leg construction



Nov. 16 1926. 1,606,956

J. F. MURPHY TABLE LIEG CONSTRUCTION Filed March 2. 1925 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 Nov. 16 1926. 1,606,956

J. F. MURPHY TABLE LEG CONSTRUCTION Filed March 2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "-9 62 v I I HHHHIHHHH...

| [Hun Patented Nov. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES JOHN FRANCIS MURPHY, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

- TABLE-LEG CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed Iarch- 2, 1925. Serial No. 12,718.

This invention relates to a, novel and practical construction for table legs of the type adapted to be collapsed inwardly toward the underside of the table to permit the latter to be conveniently stored or handled.

Small tables of the type of card tables, sewing tables and the like are usually equipped with folding or collapsible legs which permit of the table being made into a tensioned leg construction which requires no independent bracing means, and which when set up for use provides a r1g1d and firm support for the table top and yet on the other hand may be readily and quickly col lapsed when it is desired to either transport or store the table- A further object of the invention 1s to provide simple and practical hinging means for the leg so that the same may be readlly assembled and economically manufactured.

With the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an elevation looking at one corner of a table equipped with the present novel leg construction.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the construction partially collapsed.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of a corner of a table showing the mounting for the novel leg construction.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line5-5 of Fig.4.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4:.

Figure 7 is a'detail cross-sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 1.-

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the set'eral figures of the drawings.

In carrying the present invention into effect it is proposed to-utilize the novel leg construction in connection with a table top T of any desired dimensions and shape, the same being supported by the novel legs L preferably located at the corners thereof and adapted to fold inwardly toward the back of the table topT.

Referring to the said legs L it will be observed that the same are preferably made from a single piece of strong resilient wood such as hickory, oak or the like, or if desired metal could be used. 'However, due to lightness, wood is preferably employed and in the embodiment shown a-piece of resilient wood is preferably kerfed or cut to provide the spaced yielding outside hinge sections 1 and 2 and an intermediate locking section 3, the upper ends of said hinge members 1 and 2 preferably being notched on opposite sides thereby to be held against a main hinge pin 5 by-a special spring clamp S and said hinge pin extending diagonally between the frame members 6'and 6 of the table as will be observed from Fig. 4.

' The spring clamp S serves two functions, namely, that of holding the members 1 and 2 to the pin 5 and also spreading the same apart to place the same in tension. As clearly shown in Fig. 5 the clamp or clip preferably consists of a looped body portion having the angular spring arms 8 which terminate in loops 9 that fit over the hinge pm 5, the resilient angular arms 8 serving to clamp the ends of the hinge member 1 to the bar in a practical manner. This makes the arms 1 easy to assemble on the hinge pin 5 although it will of course be understood that the spring clasp or clamp S is only one means of attaining that end.

Spaced from the main hinge pin, and nearer the corner angle of the frame members 6 and 6 there is also arranged an anchoring pin or bar 10. I This bar preferably has pivotally mounted thereon a guide sleeve 11 in which the locking membe13 of the leg slides. As will be observed from Figs. 2 and 3 the said sleeve'll is a hollow tubular member having the perforated ears 12- for receiving the pin 10 so thatit is free to rotate thereon. Also it will be observed that the locking member 3 is provided with a.

keeper notch 13 for receiving the bar 10 J thereby to hold the leg in its locked vertical position as shown in Fig. 2. When it is desired to collapse the leg it is simply neces sary to give the same a sharp blow sufficient to cause the notch 13 to move out of registry with the bar 10, as shown in Fig. 3, and then the leg ma be collapsed into the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the upper end of the locking member sliding in the sleeve 11 to the position shown in the last named figure.

It will be observed that the main hinge pin 5 and the anchor pin or bar 10 are spaced apart but in the same horizontal plane, whereby when the leg member is shifted to a vertical position or a position at right angles to a plane intersecting both the hinge pin 5 and the pin or bar 11, the locking section 3 is placed under tension and when the notch 13 reaches the bar the entire leg construction is looked under tension. Also, it is pointed out that the spring clip S serves to maintain the hinge sections 1 and 2 spaced apart at their upper end thereby to also place these members under tension so that they may effectually resist lateral thrusts or side strains. Thus, when the leg members are in the position of use they form in effect a tensioned tripod which is able to withstand-pressure or weight imposed on the top of the table either from the direction of a corner or sidewise. When all of the leg units are set up in usable position it'will be apparent that they all materially contribute to a rigid and substantial support for the table top.

In the embodiment shown, where the legs.

are preferably made of resilient wood it is preferable to place a reinforcing band. 14

- where the sections 1, 2 and 3 terminate so as to prevent the footportion 15 of the leg from becoming split due to the tension under which the parts 1, 2 and 3 are placed when set up for use. As previously indicated, metal may be used as readily as wood but because of its lightness the latter is preferred. A distinctive feature of the present invention, however, is a tensioned collapsible table leg construction which is automatically braced against strains and loading stresses by the mere act ofsetting' it up for use. i

In making the'legs L, it may be observed 7 that before the same is split into the sections 1, 2 and 3 it is preferably notched on both sides near the ends, thereby to .provide the notches for receiving the,-spring arms 8 of the clip as well as the hinge pin 5, while in connection with the locking section 3 the notch at one side thereof forms the keeper notch 13. Of course, when the leg is set up for use onlyone of the notches in the member 3 is used as indicatedat 13. Of course, when the leg is set up for use only one of the notches in the -member 3 is used as indicated at 13, but in the course of manufacture, it is more convenient and cheaper to notch both sides rather than to notch one section on one side and the other two sections on the other. -Furthermore, there is an additional, advantage in thus forming the legs because it makes them readily reversible whereby they may be turned around or turned over. For instance, if the leg was leftstanding for a great length of time and the wood should lose some of its resiliency, the leg could be restored to its original strength and springiness by slipping the same out from beneath the spring arms 8 of the clip and turning it over and attaching it in the new position. 1

Also in connection with the hingepin 5 and locking bar 10 it may be pointed out will of course be understood that the angular setting of the pins 5 and 10 will be governed entirely by the shape of the table, the arrangement in each instance being intended to avoid overlapping or piling up of the legs when collapsed for storage or carrying.

\Vithout further description it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resortedto without departing'from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim i I 1. An individual folding leg construction for table tops including a hinge pin and an anchor member arranged in spaced relation at the underside of the said top, the anchor member being located between the hinge pin and a corner of the table to and said individual leg including space sections connected to said hinge pin, and an intermediate looking and tenslonlng section adapted to engage with said anchor member.

2. A folding table leg construction including a hinge in and an anchor bar ar ranged in space relation, and a tableleg proper comprising a pair of binge sections connected to said hinge in, a guide sleeve carried by said anchor ar and. an intermediate locking section slidablyl said guide sleeve and adapted to ave a lockingengagement with the anchor bar.

3'. A folding table leg construction. comfitting in top, a leg member proper having three yielding sections, two of which are pivotally mounted on said support, an anchor mem her for the third section, and means for guiding said third section to said anchor member.

4. A tensioned table leg construction comprising a leg member proper having three yielding sections, means for pivotally mounting two of said sections on a common 8.XlS, means for maintaining said latter sections in spaced tensioned relation, and means for holding and guiding the third one of said sections to an anchor point spaced from said axis and also in a position lying at right angles to a plane intersecting said axis and anchor point.

5. A folding table leg construction comprising a pair of alined pin members and a table leg proper consisting of three resilient sections united by a common foot portion, means for pivotally mounting two of said sections on one of said pins, and means for automatically guiding the third one of said sections into engagement with the other of said pins as the leg is moved from a plane parallel with the said alined pins to a position at right angles thereto.

6. A folding table leg construction comprising a hinge pin and an anchor bar arranged in spaced relation, and a leg member proper comprising a pair of outer sections and an intermediate section united by a common foot portion, means for pivotally connecting said outer sectionsto the hinge pin, and means carried by the anchor bar for guiding said intermediate section into locked engagement with the bar.

7. A folding table leg construction comprising, a hinge pin and an anchor bar arranged in spaced relationfand a leg member proper comprising a pair of outer sections and an intermediate section united at a common foot portion, means for pivotally con nectin r said outer sections to. the hinge pin and a so holding the same in spaced apart tensioned relation, and a sleeve pivotally carried by said anchor pin and receiving the intermediate section, said latter section be ing provided with a keeper notch for engaging with the anchor pin.

8. A folding table le construction comprising a hinge pin an an anchor bar arranged in spaced relation, and a leg member proper comprising a pair of outer sections.

shifted to a plane at right angles to a plane intersecting the pin and hinge pin.

9. A folding table leg construction including spaced apart in elements and a table leg proper consisting of three resilient sec- ,tions united by a common foot portion,

means forpivotall uniting two of said sec tions to one of sai pin elements, and means for guiding the other of said sections into enga ement with the other pin element there y to provide a tensioned tripodrelationshi between said sections.

10. 11 individual folding leg construction for table tops comprising a leg-supporting member spaced from one corner of the table, andsaid leg proper comprising members pivotally connected to said supporting member and a locking and tenslonin member, and means located at the underside of said table top between said supportin member and the corner of the table for refiaasably engaging and holding said lockand tensioning member.

. n testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JOHN FRANCIS MURPHY. 

